La Peña is a cultural homeplace where every week children, teens and adults study the musical and performance traditions that have nourished struggles of resistance, sustained cultures, and contributed to the well-being of communities. These roots performance traditions have managed to flourish despite long and complex histories linked to colonialism in the Americas that led to censorship and neglect. They have often been excluded from mainstream recognition by official histories, public radio, and school music curricula. Roots Arts classes encourage us to think beyond consumer approaches to performance in order to become producers and creators of our own culture. These inherited traditions have often thrived for centuries underground. They can also be revolutionary, thought-provoking, healing, and inspiring.
Check out the classes that we offer at La Peña and become part of this growing community of students, creatives and cultural bearers! Click on the titles below for more details, schedules, and instructors.
Ongoing drop-in friendly weekly classes:
- BrasArte Brazilian Dance
- Bomba y Plena Puertorrican Dance & Percussion
- Low – Impact Flamenco Dance
- Rumba Cubana (Música, Percusión & Historia)
- Bodywerk Hip Hop Fusion Dance
- Son Jarocho Music & Dance
- Capoeira Angola
- Aguacate Kids Music (Bilingual & Spanish Family Classes)
- Afro-Peruvian Dance & Cajón
Recurring Class Series (by registration only):